Visual Effects

We've had 3D and CGI forever now but the execution is so splendid it feels miraculously new. The dragon taming sequence alone...

Filmmakers have been mixing the real and the animated (by hand or computer) for decades. It's done marvelously here belying its budget.

A beautifully expressive full toolbox of tricks. Nothing feels mechanical or impersonal (as overuse of CGI often does).

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Gold: AVATAR Silver: DISTRICT 9 Bronze: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Finalists: STAR TREK | TERMINATOR: SALVATION

Semi-Finalists: CORALINE | WATCHMEN

Makeup, Makeup Effects & Hairstyling

DISTRICT 9

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

THE ROAD

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Such excellent body horrors. Cronenberg himself would be proud.

Two glamorous undercover girls, period coiffures, and Nazi scarring.

All those grim ashen faces and obvious nutritional deficiencies.

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Gold: DISTRICT 9 Silver: THE ROAD Bronze: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Finalists: The recreation of iconic characters for STAR TREK | The cinematic divas of NINE

Semi-Finalists: Bobby Sands wastes away in HUNGER | Beautiful period work that's not too beautiful for characters of limited means in BRIGHT STAR | THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS may be operating on a low budget (the show not the movie) but that's what DIY inspiration is for.

Animated Film

CORALINE

FANTASTIC MR FOX

UP

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Inventive, magical, spooky and beautifully crafted.

A perfect match of filmmaker and form. Hilarious, too.

Start with a brilliant concept and you're already sky high.

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Gold: CORALINE Silver: UP Bronze: FANTASTIC MR FOX

Finalists: I hadn't seen as much animation as I'd hoped to in 2009 but MARY & MAX is also one of a kind special.